Movie Monday - Fantastic Four
Elliot Schofield
Fox’s version of the Marvel Cinematic Universe just got a little bigger, and will likely keep the new members despite the odds. The Fantastic Four reboot as a stand alone film can be perceived from a couple of different perspectives: the first and most obvious is a reboot of an already failed movie franchise featuring iconic yet less popular super heroes from the Marvel Universe. The second is that we have a modern science fiction film centered around young people who acquire super powers. Some may watch this film and find that it has fallen flat in the former but others viewing it as the latter might find it to be both entertaining and a refreshing change from the previous two Fantastic films.
The biggest challenge for this movie is the fact that people are already well-acquainted with the characters despite the audience reception of the original two films. Because we already have the idea of the characters and what their relationships are supposed to be, it is difficult to go into this version and watch the characters behaving differently. Of course, this is an origin story - there hasn’t been time to develop the relationships that shape the characters as we know them, so there is some leeway. That is the big problem with this film; it is almost two hours of set-up with only a little bit of pay off and a mediocre ending. Still, the visuals are stunning, the sci-fi is both interesting and entertaining, leaving the viewer wanting more, and the acting is respectable enough that we’re not distracted from what’s important.
Twentieth Century Fox
The most interesting feature of Fantastic Four is not the film itself, but rather the universe that is surrounding it. In a recent edition of Entertainment Weekly follow-up on San Diego Comic Con,there is a spread-page image of the characters from X-Men: Days of Future Past, alongside a handful of newcomers yet to appear in a movie. The image hints toward a broader expanded universe with Fox’s Marvel properties a la the Avengers movies. Considering that possibility, I can watch Fantastic Four with an open mind and suggest that other people do the same. The film does a decent job setting things up for subsequent outings featuring the titular characters, a film that has a chance at being truly great. Approach this reboot with the concept of “you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs” in mind. It isn’t perfect, but it is acceptable within the grand scheme of things. I give it a 3 out of five.
Twentieth Century Fox
Eric Ferray
I have a quick question before I start this review. Rotten Tomatoes, are you drunk? The 2005 Fantastic Four movie gets a 27%, and this new version gets only 9? Really, people? I was prepared to hate this movie too, but I was impressed by a good portion of it. It exceeded expectations and gave me more things to like than not.
The story is largely adapted from the comic title, Ultimate Fantastic Four Volume 1 (2004) written by Brian Michael Bendis. The Ultimate series was created at the turn of the century to reboot Marvel’s most popular titles and appeal to a new generation. The Amazing Spider-Man movies, for instance, got much of their story tweaks from the Ultimate Spider-Man comics. Many of the alterations made in Ultimate Fantastic Four were similarly brought over to this film, such as a younger team, and a slightly different twist on how they receive their powers.
Twentieth Century Fox
So much of the horsepower for a movie adaptation, especially with comic books, rests on casting. The casting here worked for the most part, and in fact was better than the original two films. Ben Grimm (Jamie Bell) being a skinnier kid versus a thick, muscular bald man is more interesting because it results in a better, more jarring contrast when he transforms into The Thing. Also, the CG Thing just looks incredible (fantastic?). Sue Storm is more of an intellectual equal to Reed and not just his girlfriend. She’s one of the more interesting characters. While Michael B. Jordan as Johnny Storm is not as smart-mouthed as the other versions, he still has the ego and energy you expect from the Human Torch. Miles Teller was only okay as Reed Richards; his story could have been done a lot better.
I like how their powers are changed around. In the comics, everyone but the Thing can control their transformations. Here, Johnny, Sue and Reed all need specially-made suits to keep their powers in check. As stretchy Mr. Fantastic, Reed can’t stand upright without a containment suit because his bones are no longer rigid. Sue can’t stay visible and Johnny is constantly on fire. But strangely the Thing, a giant rock person, is now always naked and without any rock junk.
Twentieth Century Fox
Unlike some of the lighter, peppier fare out of Marvel Studios, the mood of the whole movie is pretty grim and heavy. There are no jokes or light-hearted moments and I can see how that may bother people used to the blend of somber and humor in The Avengers or Ant-Man. But on the other hand, there aren’t any scenes where the Human Torch plays childish pranks on the Thing or where Invisible Woman turns naked in public, unlike those other movies. This film gets incredibly dark in the last half hour and may not be suitable for people who don’t want nightmares about other people’s brains exploding.
The ending was a letdown. Doctor Doom, despite having an impressive visual design, falls flat as a villain. His motivation was not very clear. Is he just nuts? Like Elliott says, the fact they have so much to set up for the bulk of the film is a problem. I have hope the sequel will hammer out the character development and inter-personal relationships better.
Twentieth Century Fox
This movie is not as bad as haters say it is. It might be the best Fantastic Four movie yet. It has a good story, neat effects and a tense atmosphere. If you’re a Classic Fantastic Four purist, this movie will probably make you angry. If you can accept change and a darker feel, check it out.
I give 3 ½ out of 5